Effect of Selenium-Modified Exopolysaccharide from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis on [Ca~(2+)]_i in Mouse Macrophages and Cancer Cells

Objective: The effect of Se-exopolysaccharide(EPS) from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis on intracellular free Ca2+ levels in mouse macrophages cells, gastric cancer cells SGC7901 and Hela cells was studied. Methods: Cells labeled with Fluo-3/AM dye for 10 min were examined using laser confocal scanning microscope. Results: The intracellular Ca2+level in mouse macrophages increased in the presence of Se-EPS. On the other hand, Se-EPS cou ld decrease the intracellular Ca2+ levels both in gastric cancer cells SGC7901 and Hela cells. Conclusion: Se-EPS can activate macrophages, which may be related to Ca2+ signal pathways. Se-rich EPS has gained the capacity to induceapoptosis in tumor cells.